A woman being treated in the emergency room at Regions Hospital lost about $930 worth of personal belongings and electronics after the hospital's staff apparently gave them to another patient, according to charges filed Tuesday.
The woman, 23, lost her purse, phone charger, iPad mini, iPod Touch, wallet and $20 in gift cards after being treated in November. Her items had been stored by the hospital during her treatment, but were not returned to her when she was discharged Nov. 24.
John R. Smith, 53, is charged by the St. Paul city attorney's office with two counts of gross misdemeanor theft for allegedly taking the items. He had also been a patient at Regions, and was allegedly given the woman's items upon his discharge.
Police found Smith with the iPad on Dec. 29 after the woman tracked its location using Apple's lost device application.
According to the complaint: The woman traced her iPad to Union Gospel Mission at 435 E. University Av. She contacted police, who discovered Smith charging the iPad.
Smith allegedly admitted that he had the woman's electronics, wallet and purse, and that they were given to him along with his belongings at Regions Hospital.
"Defendant admitted that he knew that the items did not belong to him, and he did not point out the error to Regions Hospital staff," the complaint said.
CHAO XIONG
